Information about colourful butterflies was the centre of attraction

A walk and talk program on butterflies was organized on August 24 at Nandanvan Jungle Safari in the capital Raipur. 80 students from various colleges of Raipur, Kurud and Bilaspur participated in this program.

At the beginning of the walk and talk program, Conservation Society President Mr. J.P. Tandon made the students aware about the important role of butterflies in ecology and the need for their conservation. After this, Dr. Kavita Das, Professor of Zoology Department of Government Science College Raipur, shared her views and said that due to excessive use of pesticides, the number of butterflies is declining rapidly, which is a matter of serious concern for the environment. She urged the students to develop sensitivity in this direction and play an active role in conservation.

After this, the students’ walk started in the program, in which the students were divided into two groups. During the walk, they identified various species of butterflies on a 3 km trail. During this, the students saw butterflies like Common Crow, Emigrant, Great Eggfly, Sailor.

At the end of the walk, all the students reached the Butterfly Garden located in the zoo campus, where they were given information about the importance of host plants. The students were told what role these plants play in the life cycle of butterflies and which plants play an important role in the survival of butterflies. After the walk, the students were shown a documentary based on jungle safari in the Interpretation Hall.

Addressing the students at the Walk and Talk programme, Director of Nandanvan Jungle Safari, Shri Dhammasheel Ganvir said that the Jungle Safari is to be developed as an education centre where students can research on wildlife and enrich their knowledge. He also appealed to the students to join the Yuvan Volunteer Programme at the Jungle Safari.

At the end of the program, all the students were given certificates for their participation and they were taken on a tour of the zoo where they saw butterflies and other creatures closely.